Rosaiah draws fire for praising Jayalalithaa in assembly

Chennai, Feb 17 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor K.Rosaiah Tuesday faced fire from various opposition parties for praising former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa.

In his customary address to the state assembly, Rosaiah appreciated Jayalalithaa for her efforts in securing the rights of Tamil Nadu in various inter-state water disputes.

"It is only because of her perseverance and courage that the state could secure a historic verdict from the honourable Supreme Court declaring the Mullai Periyar Dam as hydrologically, structurally and seismically safe, thereby enabling the state of Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet," he said.

In his reaction, DMK president M. Karunanidhi, in a statement, said it was amusing to note that the governor has appreciated Jayalalithaa, who lost her chief ministership after she was convicted and sentenced to a four-year jail term and fined Rs.100 crore.

Jayalalithaa was convicted by a special court last year in a corruption case and consequently she lost her assembly membership and the chief minister post.

PMK founder S.Ramadoss said there was nothing in the governor's address except praise of Jayalalithaa and the ruling AIADMK.

The purpose of the governor's speech is to outline the projects to be implemented by the government in the coming fiscal, he added.